Anzac Day is observed on 25th April each year. It commemorates New Zealanders killed in war and honours returned and serving servicemen and women. There are lots of ways to commemorate Anzac Day.

The Anzac spirit has taught us many things; endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humour and mateship. And in these unprecedented times, it’s important we unite together using all of these qualities.

• Learn more about the history of Anzac Day
• Explore your ancestry with Auckland War Memorial’s Online Cenotaph

Join a dawn parade or service

Many local communities regularly have a dawn parade (or a later service) for returned and ex-service personnel as well as local community groups like Scouts and the general public. Enquire at your local Returned Services Association (RSA) for details.

If your local RSA is not holding an event or you are unable to attend, you can still take part in Anzac Day commemorations. You may choose to “Stand at dawn” outside your home or lay a poppy at your local war memorial.

Anzac activity sheet and colouring

Complete the children’s activity sheet or colour in an iconic image of a soldier. Click the picture below, then print.

Create poppies

Make poppies to decorate your letterbox, fence or window, or to create a wreath.

•  See how to make a poppy

Anzac baking

Make traditional Anzac biscuits or try one of Kidspot’s Anzac baking recipes.

• Anzac biscuits
• Anzac biscuits with coconut
• Anzac slice
• Anzac brownie
• Anzac muffin
• Anzac biscuit mix in a jar

The ode

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

We will remember them.

E kore rātou e kaumātuatia

Pēnei i a tātou kua mahue nei

E kore hoki rātou e ngoikore

Ahakoa pēhea i ngā āhuatanga o te wā I te hekenga atu o te rā

Tae noa ki te aranga mai i te ata

Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou.

Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou.

Catafalque Guard sentry from TE KAHA at Kranji War Cemetery ANZAC Day Dawn Service. Photo credit Nikki Payne

Feature image photo credit The NZ Defence Force